The measure would have charged a one-cent tax for every ounce of sugary drink sold within the San Gabriel Valley city. But it drew fierce opposition from the beverage industry, which spent more than $1 million to defeat it.

Fred Muir, a spokesman for the "No on H" campaign, said the group was delighted with the early voting, and that they matched internal polling figures.

"It's not a surprise," Muir said. "We've been hearing discontent all over the city for quite some time."